India in March: Holi, Weather and Where to Go

Short answer: India in March is the last comfortable month on the northern plains before the summer heat, and the month of Holi, which falls on Monday 22 March in 2027. Delhi and Rajasthan are 15–32°C and dry, the hill stations are in spring with snow still on the peaks, and the south is warm to hot. Plan the first half for Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle, be in Vrindavan, Jaipur or Udaipur for Holi, and keep the last week for the hills.

What is the weather like in India in March?

March is a month of two halves. Until about the 15th, the north feels like a good European June: 25–28°C afternoons, cool evenings, clear skies. By the last week, Delhi and Rajasthan are pushing 33–35°C and afternoons are for shade and pools. The hills lag behind, so the Himalayan foothills are in spring all month, and Kashmir’s almond and apricot blossom is out. The south is already warm and getting humid.

Figures are typical ranges, not forecasts. Dollar figures below use ₹95 to the US dollar (October 2026).

How do you experience Holi in India in March 2027?

Holi, the festival of colours, falls on Monday 22 March 2027, with the Holika Dahan bonfires lit on the evening of Sunday 21 March (Drik Panchang 2027 calendar, checked 30 Oct 2026). On the morning of the 22nd, streets across north India fill with people throwing coloured powder and water until about noon, after which everyone washes, eats and visits family. It is a public holiday, so shops, banks and many monuments close.

Where to be depends on how much you want to be in the middle of it:

• Vrindavan and Mathura, two hours south of Delhi, celebrate for over a week before the day itself, with the Lathmar Holi in Barsana and Nandgaon and flower Holi at the Banke Bihari temple. It is intense, crowded and unforgettable, and not for anyone who dislikes being touched by strangers.
• Jaipur has organised Holi events for visitors in hotel gardens and heritage venues, which are the easiest way to join in safely. Our Jaipur travel guide lists the neighbourhoods to avoid on the morning itself.
• Udaipur stages the royal Holika Dahan procession from the City Palace on the evening of 21 March, with the Mewar family lighting the bonfire; tickets are sold for the palace courtyard. See our Udaipur travel guide.
• Anandpur Sahib in Punjab holds Hola Mohalla, the Sikh martial festival with mock battles and horsemanship, on the days around Holi; it usually begins the day after.

Practical rules we give every guest: wear white cotton you can throw away, protect your camera, use oil on your hair and skin so colour washes out, keep valuables in the hotel, and join a group rather than wandering alone, especially for women. Our Holi festival tour page explains how we structure the two days, and our what to wear in India guide has a Holi section.

Where should you go in India in March?

Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle, first three weeks. March is the final month we recommend for a full Golden Triangle tour with Rajasthan. The Taj at sunrise is clear, Jaipur and Jodhpur are warm, and the camps at Jaisalmer close for the season at the end of the month. From the 20th, start sightseeing at 07:00 and plan a rest from 13:00 to 16:00.

Varanasi and the Ganges. Still dry and bright, with Maha Shivaratri on 5 March 2027 bringing enormous crowds to the Kashi Vishwanath temple. Avoid that single night unless you want the crowd. The Haridwar Ardh Kumbh, which runs from 14 January to 20 April 2027, has major bathing days in early March and mid-April; our Kumbh Mela tour page explains how visitors can attend.

Himachal and Uttarakhand. Spring in the hills: snow still at Solang Valley, Kufri and Narkanda early in the month, rhododendrons on the Dharamshala and Shimla slopes from mid-March, and the summer crowds not yet arrived. Our Manali in March guide covers what is open; Rohtang Pass stays closed until around May, and the Atal Tunnel gives snow access at Sissu. Rishikesh is at its most pleasant for rafting and yoga; see our Rishikesh travel guide.

Kashmir. March is blossom month in the Srinagar valley, and the Indira Gandhi tulip garden usually opens in the last days of March or early April for about a month. Nights are still cold and Gulmarg keeps snow. Our Kashmir seasons guide covers it.

Goa and Kerala. Both are still good in the first half, hot and humid by the end. Munnar and the Kerala hills stay comfortable all month.

What else is on in India in March 2027?

What should you avoid in India in March?

• Ladakh and Spiti by road. The Manali–Leh and Manali–Kaza roads closed on 15 October 2026 and will not reopen until late May or June. Leh is fly-in only and still very cold.
• Travelling on Holi morning. Trains and flights run, but getting to the station through a city in full colour-throwing mode is slow and messy. Stay put on the 22nd.
• Central and southern India in the last ten days if you are heat-sensitive: Madhya Pradesh’s tiger parks are excellent for sightings in March but 38°C in the jeep by midday.
• Booking Himachal late. Our package rates move to the peak band from 15 March, about 25% above the off-season rate, and Indian school holidays begin to fill Shimla and Manali from the end of the month.

How do you plan a March trip to India?

A two-week plan we would run around Holi 2027: arrive Delhi 14 March (2 nights), Agra (1 night), Jaipur (2 nights), Jodhpur (1 night), Udaipur for the royal Holika Dahan on 21 March and a hotel Holi on the 22nd (3 nights), fly to Delhi and on to Chandigarh, then Shimla (2 nights) and Delhi (1 night) to fly home on 27 March. The order moves north with the heat, and the hill nights at the end are a good reset after the festival.

If you would rather be in Vrindavan for Holi, put Delhi and Agra at the end of the trip and base in Mathura for 20–22 March; our India festival calendar for 2027 has the full year of dates if you are choosing between months, and our India in February guide covers the month before. For the regional overview, see best time to visit north India.

Frequently asked questions

When is Holi in 2027?

Holi is on Monday 22 March 2027, with the Holika Dahan bonfires on the evening of Sunday 21 March. Colour play happens on the morning of the 22nd and is mostly over by early afternoon. It is a public holiday across north India, so expect banks, shops and some monuments to close for the day.

Is March a good time to visit India?

Yes, especially the first three weeks. Delhi, Rajasthan and Varanasi are warm and dry without the summer heat, the hill stations are in spring, and Holi gives the month a focus. By the last week the plains are hot, so shift to the Himalayan foothills, Kashmir or the Kerala hills for the end of a trip.

Where is the best place to celebrate Holi as a visitor?

Vrindavan and Mathura for the most intense, traditional week of celebrations; Jaipur for organised events in hotel gardens that are easy and safe; Udaipur for the royal Holika Dahan procession at the City Palace on 21 March. Many hotels across Rajasthan host their own Holi mornings, which suit families and anyone who wants to stay clean after noon.

How hot is India in March?

Delhi and Rajasthan rise from about 28°C in early March to 33–35°C by the end; nights stay cool at 15–18°C. The hill stations are 5–18°C. Goa is 24–33°C and the Kerala coast 25–35°C with rising humidity. Sightsee early and late in the last ten days and keep the middle of the day for shade.

Can I visit the Himalayas in March?

The hill stations, yes: Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Mussoorie and Rishikesh are all in spring, with snow still on the slopes above Manali early in the month. The high passes are closed: the Manali–Leh and Manali–Kaza roads do not reopen until late May or June, and Rohtang stays shut until around May. Leh is reachable by air only.

Is Holi safe for foreign tourists?

Mostly, with sensible precautions. Join an organised event or go with a group, wear old clothes and eye protection, keep phones and cameras in sealed bags, and avoid drinking bhang unless you know what you are doing. Women in particular should stay in groups in crowded street celebrations. By early afternoon the streets are calm again.